Acid Rain

Acid Rain :

Acid rain is the rain, which has been made more acidic than normal by the presence of dissolved pollutants, such as sulphur dioxide ( $SO_2$ ) and nitrogen oxides ( $NO_2, NO_3$ ). These acidic oxides enter into the atmosphere by combustion of fossil fuels in homes, transport and industries. These gases arise from volcanic emissions also.

Harmful Effects of Acid Rain :

Acid rain can corrode buildings and statues, especially those made with marble and stone. The limestone (marble) dissolves is acid rain and slowly gets crumbled away. The phenomenon of corrosion of marble is also called “Marble cancer’.

Acid rain can damage crops and trees. It washes away minerals like magnesium (Mg) and calcium present in the soil. As a result, the crops are not able to get nutrients in proper amounts.

It damages plants by destroying their leaves. They first become yellow and then die.

Aluminium ions present in the soil are washed out by acid rain. They can reach river and lakes and kill fishes.

When acid rain falls on fresh water lakes, rivers, ponds, etc., their water becomes acidic. This cause damage to aquatic plants and animals.

It can cause extensive damage to forests, the wildlife and other forms of life.

The Taj Mahal : The Taj Mahal, situated at Agra in our country, which is a heritage building and India’s most famous tourist attraction is facing a threat to its remarkable beauty by acidic air pollutants from the neighboring factories like rubber processing, automobiles, chemicals and especially, the Mathura oil refinery produce pollutants like sulphur dioxide ( $dpi{120} SO_2$ ) and nitrogen dioxide ( $NO_2$ ) which are responsible for acid rain. Experts have warned that the white marble of Taj Mahal has already developed patches of discoloration. Also the fumes emitted from the chimneys of Mathura oil refinery have been responsible for the corrosion of the marble of the Taj Mahal. However, timely steps and efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have resulted in restoring its past glory.

Sample Questions

(More Questions for each concept available in Login)

Question : 1

Acid rain is caused by ___________________
A. Deforestation		B. $CO_2$
C. CO		D. Oxides of sulphur and nitrogen
Right Option : D
View Explanation

Question : 2

Acid rain is the downpour of __________________
A. Carbon dioxide in rain	B. Dust in rain	C. Sulphur dioxide in rain	D. Oxygen in rain
Right Option : C
View Explanation

Question : 3

Acid rain has resulted in corrosion of all marble of the monument. It is especially due to, the Mathura oil refinery. So the Supreme court has taken steps to save the Taj. It has ordered the industries to either switch to cleaner fuels like CNG (compressed Natural Gas) and LPG (Liquefied petroleum Gas) more - over, the automobiles should switch over to unleaded petrol in Taj Zone The Taj Mahal is being affected due to ______________________
A. Noise pollution	B. Air pollution	C. Water pollution	D. None of these
Right Option : B
View Explanation